Changing My Substrate From Gravel to Sand

Thirty gallon freshwater tank containing three dwarf puffers, three otos, one bristlenose catfish, and eleven amano shrimp. During water changes I spilled water and the inexpensive particleboard fish tank stand soaked up the water and it was leaning to the right. So with the new stand, I had to take everything down anyways, so I decided this was a good time to change the substrate to sand. It took approximately 10 hours from start to finish.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• dwarf puffers
• 3m colorquartz sand
• aquarium gravel
• changing substrate
• substrate
• otos
• bristlenose catfish

[jessica56786789]

why did u switch to sand? did u have to rinse snowballs sand? what kind does snowball have PLEASE ! im desprate

[cheryl4967]

@jessica56786789

i switched to sand cuz i like the look of sand ... the sand in snowball's tank is called Tahitian moon sand and i did not have to rinse, it actually came sealed in a bag, damp, with all necessary chemicals added ... i bought it at big al's online :O)

[jessica56786789]

@cheryl4967 where did you get the white sand and how do u clean it

[cheryl4967]

@jessica56786789

the white sand is 3M colorquartz sand ... i got it by advertising on my local fish forum ... i rinsed by putting it in buckets, pouring water over it and stirring and any dust that arose i poured off the top ... it took about 14 times before i could see through the water above the sand in the bucket .... if you look around on youtube there are other ways suggested for rinsing that might be less time consuming ... but the way i did it worked pretty good :O

[Sarnarath]

is the hexagon aqaurium at 3:00 always on the floor like that?

[cheryl4967]

@Sarnarath

the hex tank was on the floor for about two weeks until i could move stuff around :O)

[defiythelie]

@grayln No. Just put some sand in a bucket do not fill more then half way. Then just run wate into the bucket with a garden hose and let the water over flow over the bucket until it is no longer cloudy.

[grayln]

how the hell do you rinse sand? do you have a sifter or something of the nature?

[GlobalCriticX]

You take really great care of your fish and accommodate and treat them well. :) good job! I'd love to be one of your pets! Keep up the good work! Ca you PLEASE tell me where you got your dwarf puffers.

[bm20197]

good job. alot of work but its worth it. i subbed. check mine out and please sub back

[SerenityFL]

This video is great as I'm getting ready to switch out from gravel to sand. I appreciate the very detailed narrative. (I also love how you felt you needed to let us know that your laundry is clean. LOL!) I was going to do it with the fish in but I think I'm going to try it your way and take them out, tear down the tank and put it in that way. THANKS for sharing!!

[scalecrawler08]

how does the plants do in the sand i had absolutly no luck with live plant and sand

[scalecrawler08]

lol to the laundry your too cute

[DarkTheShinyUmbreon]

I always get to your videos lol bettas seamonkeys sand subed already before xD

[cheryl4967]

@DNBjay93

dwarf puffers are 100% freshwater ... there are actually several puffer species that are freshwater but they tend to be big such as the mbu or fahaka ... those are big ones but totally freshwater :O)

[cheryl4967]

@Bazil1869

silica sand is very nice sand to use :O)

[Bazil1869]

@cheryl4967 thanks ^^ i think i will be buying silica sand and just rinse it alot every day for 4 days so that should be more then enough :)

[cheryl4967]

@Bazil1869

it was a day long process :O) all fish survived and they were in the buckets of water for hours ... i put live plants in each bucket in hopes that would provide them somewhere to hide ... you can see at the end of the video the water is not quite clear, within 24 hours it was clear ... the first couple months with water changes it would stir up a bit but now it doesn't at all ... my suggestions are rinse, rinse, rinse, and then rinse some more before you put it in :O)

[Bazil1869]

hey how did you go with this? how long will the fish be alright in the buckets with the water temp and everything?how long did it take for the water to settle?were your fish stressed?any tips?pls relply be a big help :)

[cheryl4967]

@RebelThunder

i live in vancouver and i posted on the BC Aquaria classified section for both the white and the black.

[RebelThunder]

I notice you are from canada. mind if I ask where did you got the sand please and thank you. :)

[RebelThunder]

@cheryl4967: ooh thats nice.I am going to the city tonight.probably hunt for those tomorrow. thanks. :)

[cheryl4967]

@RebelThunder

i have also read it is not made any more but i just bought a 50 pound bag of black for a new tank i am setting up so it can be found :O)

[RebelThunder]

@cheryl4967  ok.thanks.I didnt hear it at first when ypumsaid it was the 3M color quartz. I read in some forums that they stop making those. So if its not available in the US, what more here in Canada.lol. :)

[cheryl4967]

@RebelThunder

i bought it off a local fish forum where i live ... it is called 3M colourquartz sand ... it is the nicest, softest sand i have ever used in fish tanks :O)